Keeping Nationwide busy

The NHL labor dispute dragging on got me thinking: What exactly is Nationwide Arena hosting these days with the Blue Jackets (figuratively) on ice, from now until the state high school hockey final four March 9-10?

The answer: Not a lot.

As far as sports - and that's why we're here, isn't it - there are a couple sporting events coming up at Nationwide.

On Dec. 28, the Harlem Globetrotters will host a doubleheader at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. No wonder the Washington Generals are having such a difficult time beating the Globetrotters - they're running them out there twice in a day, for crying out loud.

Then we have World's Toughest Rodeo on Jan. 12. Not only will there be rodeo and "American style bull fighting", but there's also a Kids Zone, in which your children can learn how to lasso a steer and barrel race. It's not my thing, but if you draws you down to Columbus, I'm happy for you.

Obviously there's concerts and other events, but nothing else in sports.

In other words, and in all seriousness, for the sake of the good people who work down there at that arena and every NHL arena across North America, and for the sake of the people who follow the NHL, get back to the bargaining table and get a labor deal done.

With only two non-Blue Jackets sporting events going on between now and early March, Nationwide Arena is not going to be running at its full capability, and that doesn't help anybody, particularly those who rely on the arena's function to make a living.